Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
March 15, 2020

The Second Epistle of John: A Study Guide
by Bryan Gibson
Here’s your assignment for today: read 2 John. It will only take about two minutes, because it’s just one chapter with thirteen verses. To help you get the most out of your reading and any additional study, here’s a short study guide. We’ll divide this one chapter into four sections, and make a few comments about each one. But again, don’t stop with what you read below. Study it carefully, more deeply—get all you can from this short but powerful epistle.
Introduction and Commendation (vv. 1-4). Don’t concern yourself too much with identifying the “elect lady and her children,” to whom this epistle is addressed. It’s difficult to know for sure (an actual lady and her children? a local church?), and it matters little to the practical meaning of this short letter. Do pay attention, though, to the good things said about them. Notice especially the emphasis on two things: love and truth. The union of these two is really the main theme of this letter, and the tone for that is set right here in the introduction.
A Plea to Walk in Love and Truth (vv. 5-6). “Love one another”—that’s the commandment issued in verse 5, but notice how love is defined in verse 6: “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments.” Let that soak for a minute. Any teaching about love is incomplete, unless it emphasizes the necessity of keeping God’s commandments. You cannot talk about one without talking about the other. Do you see the theme developing? Love and truth go hand in hand—in teaching and in practice. Want further evidence? Look at the next section.
The Reason for the Plea: The Threat of False Teachers (vv. 7-11). How does love respond to those who teach error, to those who do not abide in the doctrine of Christ? “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (vv. 10-11). They’ve lost the support of the Father and the Son (v. 9), and so we can’t offer ours either. Love is loyal to the truth; it simply cannot tolerate false doctrine. Now, flip the page to 3 John and notice an interesting contrast. How does love respond to those who teach the truth? “We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow-workers for the truth” (v. 8). Support those who teach error, and you become a partner with them; support those who teach the truth, and you become a partner with them. Love always sides with truth—that’s the message of this epistle.
Conclusion (vv. 12-13). John wanted to say more to the elect lady and her children, but he wanted say it “face to face” (v. 12), and the reason he gives is “that our joy may be full” (v. 12). A face to face meeting would give John an opportunity to find out if they heeded his instructions in this epistle, if they were still walking in truth and love. He had rejoiced earlier when he heard about them walking in the truth (v. 4); to see them still doing it would make his joy complete.
We’ve all been keeping up with the spread of this virus. Let’s see if we can’t do our part to help something else spread.
“Then the word of God spread” (Acts 6:7).
“The word of God grew and multiplied (Acts 12:24).
“The word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region” (Acts 13:49).
“The word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed” (Acts 19:20).

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	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

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Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Training Class 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.